Choosing a New AVR In Light of New HD Codecs

[tmanasa]

Until just a few minutes ago, I have been decided on an Outlaw 1070 to replace my trusty (but outgrown) Pioneer VSX-815 within a few months. I chose the Outlaw 1070 because of audio quality and tweakability.

However, I just finished reading about the new Dolby and DTS codecs (Dobly HD, Dolby Plus, DTS HD, etc) that will be included with HD-DVD and Blue-ray content. The Outlaw 1070, alas, does not support any of these formats. I realize that for the Dolby Plus format, Dobly Digital will down-convert from 1.5mbs to 640kbps, which is still an improvement over the 448kbps of DD.

So the question: As someone who will eventually join the HD bandwagon (currently still undecided b/c of the format war), should I wait possibly many months to find a high-quality receiver that supports these "vastly improved" formats, or is it more important to just get the high-quality receiver? In other words, how should I weigh the importance of these new formats? I plan to spend only about as much as the Outlaw 1070 goes for ($899) so getting the latest Marantz or Pioneer Elite isn't an option.

This is my first post, so thanks everyone!

 

[avliner]

Tmanasa,

welcome to the forum!

IMO, you don't need to worry much about the new HD audio codecs on the AVR, because they'll be at the players anyway; so I'd consider a new AVR with the minimum specs:

* HDMI (1.1 onwards);
* Multi channel analogue outputs and
* Multi channel PCM.

If the Outlaw you're considering complies with the above specs, you'll be fine to go (unless you're thinking about a transport player - Denon will launch one soon - so in that case you'll definetely need an AVR with the new HD codecs built-in, as well as HDMI V1.3 on both ends).

I'm also avoiding to join the HD bandwagon for now, for the exact same reasons as yours, though. That's my opinion anyway

Keep us posted!

 

[NapaDRB]

This is a pretty good link that explains HDMI and the new formats, at the bottom they talk about your question http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/High-Def_FAQ/Joshua_Zyber/High-Def_FAQ:_Is_HDMI_1.3_Really_Necessary/853

I agree with the post above, as long as your unit has analogue inputs or accepts pcm over HDMI I don't think it matters, the players do the decoding.

 

[tmanasa]

avliner and NapaDRB, thank you for this great info. It is very helpful. Do you know if this uncompressed PCM from the player can also come through TOSLINK or coaxial? If so, then would one really need HDMI? (I only ask because the receiver that is the object of my desire does not have HDMI.)

Thanks

 

[mdrew]

avliner and NapaDRB, thank you for this great info. It is very helpful. Do you know if this uncompressed PCM from the player can also come through TOSLINK or coaxial? If so, then would one really need HDMI? (I only ask because the receiver that is the object of my desire does not have HDMI.)

Thanks

No, it can not. You will need an HDMI equipped processor.

Be forewarned, not all AVR’s and pro/pro’s that have HDMI actually processes audio. Some just switch HMDI and some that do process the audio do not do it correctly. Your best bet it to find a processor within your budget that has the feature set you are looking for, and then ask around on the forums from users of that model if it works correctly. I would not listen to anyone who is quoting off a data sheet or product manual. Sometimes the information contained in these documents is misleading.

And as stated earlier, you do not need HDMI 1.3 to enjoy high rez audio off Blue Ray and HD/DVD. The HDMI 1.1 spec can pass multi-channel PCM, which is what the source will convert the codecs to. I’ve become a BR/HD junkie. Last count I had over two hundred disks and I have trouble watching anything but BR/HD anymore. It’s quite a treat….

 

[jostenmeat]

avliner and NapaDRB, thank you for this great info. It is very helpful. Do you know if this uncompressed PCM from the player can also come through TOSLINK or coaxial? If so, then would one really need HDMI? (I only ask because the receiver that is the object of my desire does not have HDMI.)

Thanks

Its arguable. Not an easy position to be in if wanting 1. to be future proofed 2. hi-fi audio equipment 3. stay on a budget.

At present you can obtain internal decoders in the player for TrueHD and DTS-HR. No way yet on MA, until the very expensive bit-streaming Denon comes out. If you are willing to gamble that MA decoders will also eventually come in the player, all you need are Analog Inputs on the receiver. No need for hdmi.

You should note that Outlaw receiver has 5.1 (6-ch) analog inputs. If you are planning on running 6.1/7.1 material, you would need 8-ch mca's. This method of connection may or may not be for me in the future, and the one thing I am concerned about is matrixing abilities from the analog domain for rear channels. Maybe I am asking for too much...

*I should note that I believe the codecs are totally necessary, if wanting 1. HD audio and 2. the best Video as well. PCM, while lossless like the new formats, takes up way too much space. It almost forces the use of MPEG-2 for video, even if recorded on the larger and rarer BD50 disc. Usage of THD, MA, HR should hopefully allow for the further decompression of video, while providing lossless audio.

OK. So in a nutshell: I think buying a receiver with HD decoders via HDMI is a good idea. You may or may not end up being perfectly fine with analog connections only, no hdmi at all. To be the best prepared, have both options available.

*It seems AVS is currently down. I wanted to post a very informative thread from there. Anyways, a different link for future reference, BD stat sheet. Under audio on the right, shows the codec being used.
http://www.blu-raystats.com/index.php

Good luck!

 

[NapaDRB]

I do not believe toslink and coaxial have the bandwidth to pass uncompressed PCM so you will need a receiver that supports audio over HDMI or one with the analog inputs. If you go the latter route you will obviously need a player with analog outputs, I mention this because I don't think the cheaper players have this feature.